Champaign Police Officer Daniel Norbits has been suspended for 30 days by City of Champaign City Manager Steve Carter due to his actions in the fatal shooting of Kiwane Carrington last October. However, some city council members said that the punishment is not severe enough.

The decision was determined by review of the Internal Investigation Report by Deputy Chief Holly Nearing, a report from the Champaign Police Department’s Firearms Discharge Review Board, and an external review report by retired Judge John Freese and retired Urbana Chief of Police Eddie Adair.

The review determined Officer Norbits violated Police Department policy when he failed to maintain control of his weapon.

Will Kyles, District 1 Champaign City Council member, said in a press release that two of the three additional reports had citied the policy violation for contributing to the boy’s death. Therefore, he does not believe the suspension was harsh enough.

However, “saying that, I believe that IFOP’s press release was one-sided, did not take all factors into account and paints the Champaign Police Department in a light that hampers and hinders any hope for better Police-Community relations. Beyond that, my deepest hope is that the Champaign community digs deep, police officers included and fight to change perceptions and realities for a better tomorrow,” the press release said.

Carter said it has been a difficult time for the entire community and no action on behalf of the city could make up for the loss of Carrington.

According to a press release, The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council is “extremely disappointed” by the City Manager’s decision.

“While the death of Mr. Carrington is a tragedy,” the release noted, “It is a tragedy that was brought about by Mr. Carrington’s own actions and not by any fault on the part of Officer Norbits.”